Improvement in preserving-packages for fruits



ELIZABETH S HUNT PRESERVING PACK-AGESFOR FRUIT, m. 110,122,119. Patented Sept. 2; 1876.

a J u Per "NI'IED STATES PATENT OEEIo ELIZABETH s. HUNT, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENTIN PRESERVlNG-PACKAGES FOR FRUITS, ac.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 1 82,119, dated September 12, 1876 application filed August 5, 1876.

To all whom it may concern: 1

Be it known that I, ELIZABETH S. HUNT, of Cleveland, in the county of Ouyahoga and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Package for the Preservation of Fruits, 850.; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to certain modifications in theconstruction of cans and other packages designed for holding and preserving fruit, and the various other articles used as food, requiring similar means for their preservation, it being an improvement upon the devices shown in my Patent No. 170,172. granted the 23d day of N ovember, 1875; and the invention consists in the means employed for retaining the immersing-plate in position, and in its construction, so as to suit diflerently-formed packages.

1n the drawing, Figure l is a vertical sec tion of a fruit-jar, showing the immersingplate in position within the jar. Fig.2 is a view of the lower side of an immersing-plate. Fig. 3 shows the holding-plate fitting into the mouth of the jar or package, and to which the immersing-plate is attached. Figs. 4 and .5 show a modification of the device exhibiting a method of constructing the holding-plate when it is desired to use one, having a greater diameter than that of the neck of the jar or package. Fig. 6 is an additional modification, which may be used under similar circumstances.

A represents the jar or package formed of any suitable material or shape. B is the cover, which maybe secured in the ordinary manner by forming a screw-thread upon the neck of the package with a corresponding thread within the rim of the cover, a rubber or other suitable gasket, 0., being interposed between the lower edge of the cover, and a suitable shoulder upon the package, so as to form an air-tight joint when the cover is screwed "on. A shallow recess, b, within the neck of the package receives the periphery of the disk 0. This disk is of slightly less diameter than the recess which receives it, so as to admit a band, 0, of cloth or rubber, which encircles the disk,

to enter, and fit tightly into the recess. Another gasket, d, of rubber is placed within a recess formed in the disk, and projects upward sufficiently to form a cushion, against which the cover presses when itis screwed on. An elongated tubular stem, D, is attached to the under side of the disk 0, its lower extremity being formed into a socket which receives the stem E attached to the immersingplate F. This stem is also tubular, and the socket-joint by which it is connected to the stem D allows it to be placed at any desired point with relation to the latter, so as to immerse the plate F to a greater or less extent in the fluid contained in the jar, as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 1' of the drawing. The immersing-plate Fmay be formed of a dishshaped disk,'perforated with numerous holes, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, or when it is desired that it shall cover a greater area than that presented by the neck of the package, it may be formed of a divided disk, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, in which the part c is made to revolve upon the stem, thus allowing it to lie parallel to the part f, and to be introduced into a package, the neck of which has a diameter equal to the distance between the points 9 and h. After it has been introduced the part 6 may be turned so as to again form a complete circle. Another device for accomplishing the same object is shown in Fig. 6, consisting of a curved and perforated elliptical plate. This plate may be made, if desired, of an elastic material, so that it may be bent in order to be introduced through the neck, but will recover its original form when it reaches the enlarged part of the package. Other forms of the immersing-plate may be devised, but these examples will show that it -is only necessary for the skillful artisan to know the shape and size of the package in which they are to be used in order to select such a form as will best suit the purpose aimed at.

The advantages of this device are that molding and putretaction are prevented, which many fruits and other articles used as food are liable to, in consequence of being lighter than the same bulk of the preservingliquid-in which they are immersed, and consequently have a tendency to rise to the surface, thus exposing a part to the action of the air 3. The immersing-plate F, and holding-plate 0, connected by an adjustable stem, in combination with the recessed neck of. the package A, and its cover B. substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature this 10th day of July, 187 6, in presence of two witnesses.

ELIZABETH s. HUNT.

Witnesses:

O. G. BAL WIN, L WIS W. Form. 

